46

CALIFF

I instantly felt Shadow— she was terrified, and the spikes of pain flooded my chest. And there was so much fear in her thoughts. My self-protective instinct roared.

At that moment, I stopped breathing. My heart stopped beating. I forgot what I was. I forgot I was with humans. With my speed, I ran to catch Shadow before she fell. And she was clutching her throat.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” I didn’t have to ask. She raised her glass at me before she took a sip, and it hit me hard— the impact was catastrophic. My world crashed down on me. I didn’t only fail to protect her. I also failed as her mate, as her husband.

“Wolfs-bane. I-I can’t breathe.” Those were her last words. Her eyes were transfixed, and she was barely breathing as she lay motionless in my arms.

“No, no, no. Baby, stay with me.” I shook her, but she didn’t respond. Her face was pale.

“What’s happening?” someone asked, and I couldn’t answer. I just stared at my motionless mate— my world.

“Brother, what happened?”